USC football returns in about a month to build off a great 2016 campaign, but what does the 2017 two-deep depth chart projection look like?
The 2016 rendition of USC had a terrible September before rattling off nine straight wins, including a shootout victory over Penn State in the Rose Bowl. Now coming off a 10-win season, the expectations in Los Angeles are even higher.
To make a run at a Pac-12 Championship and possible College Football playoff bid, the Trojans will have to replace several key playmakers. They are losing a handful of starters from last year’s team, but at USC, it’s about reloading and not necessarily rebuilding.
Can USC make a run at it’s first national title in 13 years? That would be quite impressive for second year head coach Clay Helton.
Here’s a look at the two-deep depth chart for the Trojans heading into the 2017 season.
Offensive Line
Starting Tackles: Chuma Edoga (LT), Nico Falah (RT)
Backups: Clayton Johnston, Andrew Vorhees
Along the offensive line, USC needs to fill in the gaps and it’s still a work in progress heading into the fall. The Trojans lost three players along the line from last year.
Chuma Edoga seems to have solidified himself at the left tackle position. The junior has played both tackle positions, but the coaches will trust him to protect quarterback Sam Darnold‘s blindside. Redshirt sophomore Clayton Johnston should be serving as Odaga’s backup.
Over on the right side, things are murkier. Fifth year senior Nico Falah is coming off a few injuries this spring including a herniated disc but he does seem healed and ready to go now. Watch for true freshman Andrew Vorhees. The 6-foot-6, 290-pounder came along nicely in the spring and could definitely push for playing time this fall.
Starting Center: Toa Lobendahn
Backup: Cole Smith
Senior Toa Lobendahn tore his ACL last September and has been healing since. He should be ready to go this fall. If he’s hindered in any way, Nico Falah could slide back over to his natural position at center. This is why the line truly is a work in progress.
With the injuries to both Lobendahn and Falah, redshirt sophomore Cole Smith got the first team reps at center. He’s probably not ready to start but he can certainly play in a backup role.
Starting Guards: Chris Brown (LG), Viane Talamaivao (RG)
Backups: Roy Hemsley, Jordan Austin
The only absolute certainty along the front five is Viane Talamaivao playing at right guard. The 6-foot-2, 315-pound Talamaivao is entering his final year at USC and has started 32 games at the right guard position, so nothing is changing now. Right now junior Jordan Austin projects to be Talamaivao’s backup.
For the left guard position, both Chris Brown and Roy Hemsley had good spring practices in the position battle. Brown has more experience here so he will probably win the starting spot in fall camp.
Defensive Line
Starting Defensive Tackle: Malik Dorton
Backup: Kenny Bigelow
Like their offensive counterparts, the defensive front also has question marks. Junior Malik Dorton was the starter for 2016 at this spot so he probably will return as the starter. The uncertainty is with Kenny Bigelow. He’s such a great talent, but missed the entire 2016 due to ACL injury. In fact he has had two ACL injuries in his career as a Trojan. Still one has to think the former five-star recruit will get playing time when he is healthy. It’s his final year so time to prove his worth.
Starting Nose Tackle: Marlon Tuipulotu
Backups: Josh Fatu, Kenny Bigelow
USC defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast is really going to miss departed nose tackle Stevie Tu’ikolovatu. He was a huge presence in his only season with the Trojans as a transfer from Utah and he often dictated double teams from opposing offenses. In his place could be freshman Marlon Tuipulotu. He enrolled early in January and has really caught on quick.
Josh Fatu battled Tuipulotu in the spring and even though Tuipulotu probably has a slight edge, Fatu should get some playing time in the rotation. Kind of cheating here, but putting Kenny Bigelow here as well because he’s a real wild card when it comes to the front three.
Starting Defensive End: Rasheem Green
Backup: Christian Rector
Junior Rasheem Green is locked in at the defensive end spot. He started 12 games last year and earned All Pac-12 honorable mention while leading the team in sacks (6) and forced fumbles (2). The coaches are going to be looking for him to make an even bigger leap this year and be a leader along the line. He could be an All-American candidate if he steps up his game to the next level.
Christian Rector saw a lot of playing time in the rotation during the spring so he should provide a solid backup to Green. Also possible Rector rotates over to the other end spot part of the time.
(Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
Linebacker
Starting outside linebackers: Porter Gustin, Uchenna Nwosu
Backups: Oluwole Betiku, Connor Murphy
Defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast uses a base 5-2, which is really a 2-4-5 scheme. Senior Uchenna Nwosu and junior Porter Gustin act as edge rushers in the 5-2 look. Nwosu primarily plays as a run-stopper while Gustin is in there to rush the quarterback in a predator role. Last year both players had solid seasons. Porter racked up 68 total tackles, 13 of them for loss and 5.5 sacks. Nwosu has 53 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss.
With Gustin and Nwosu entrenched as the starters, Oluwole Betiku and Connor Murphy will look to get some extended playing time this season. Betiku in particular had extended playing time in the spring with Gustin sat out recovering from injury. He has passed Murphy on the depth chart, but both guys should get meaningful playing time in the rotation.
Starting inside linebackers: Cameron Smith, John Houston
Backups: Jordan Iosefa, Levi Jones
Cameron Smith is the best player in the USC linebacker corps, if not the best defensive player on the team. As a true freshman in 2015, he recorded 78 tackles and three interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. Unfortunately his year was cut short, missing the final four games due to a knee injury. He came back to form in 2016, leading the team with 83 tackles and seven tackles for loss. He seems to be magnetized to ball carriers and is smothering in run and pass coverage.
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John Houston has had some setbacks in his Trojan career so far. He arrived as a five-star recruit, but took a redshirt his freshman year due to ongoing back issues. Last season, he was used sparingly and mostly on special teams. Now with the lack of depth, he should be the other inside linebacker next to Smith.
Sophomore Jordan Iosefa, a 2016 commit, is still learning but he had some playing time last year when Smith went out. Keep an eye on newcomer Levi Jones as he arrives on campus this fall. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound product out of Austin, Texas is athletic enough to push for early playing time. Doubtful that the USC coaching staff uses a redshirt on him.
Although it’s not reflected on the depth chart, USC is in a nickel package almost exclusively. Malik Dorton is listed as the official “nickel” starter.
(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Defensive Back
Starting safeties: Chris Hawkins, Marvell Tell
Backups: Matt Lopes, C.J. Pollard
Chris Hawkins has been a staple in the USC secondary for the last three years, playing the last two at strong safety. He was a full-time starter in 2015 but his playing time was cut down last year, starting only four games. He has 146 tackles and 3 interceptions in his collegiate career and is looking to go out with his best year in 2017.
Marvell Tell started all 13 games last year at free safety for the Trojans so he’s entrenched here again. The now-junior has 79 tackles and an interception through two seasons.
Redshirt senior and former walk-on Matt Lopes had a really good spring. While he won’t be surpassing the two starters, he definitely will be in the rotation this fall along with redshirt freshman C.J. Pollard. While not listed as a backup, keep an eye on highly touted incoming freshman Bubba Bolden. He may be in line for some quality snaps if he has a good fall camp.
Starting cornerbacks: Iman Marshall, Jack Jones
Backups: Jonathan Lockett, Ajene Harris, Isaiah Langley
Replacing Adoree’ Jackson, who left early for the NFL, is no easy task. However junior Iman Marshall has assumed the role as the team’s top cornerback. He’s coming off a 52-tackle and three-interception season, looking to build off that success.
Opposite of Marshall could be Isaiah Langley. He and Jack Jones had a battle in the spring for the second cornerback spot. Jones probably has a little more upside talent wise, but Langley is right there. These two are really interchangeable and both should receive quality playing time this fall.
Behind both Langley and Jones, there is junior Ajene Harris. Last year, he was used a lot in the nickel formation where he posted 27 tackles and two interceptions. He should continue to be a solid player in the secondary. Senior Jonathan Lockett underwent surgery to repair a hip issue at the end of last year and he was out for the spring practices. He should be back contributing this fall.
Wide Receivers
Starting receivers: Michael Pittman, Jalen Greene, Deontay Burnett
Backups: Tyler Vaughns, Josh Imatorbhebhe, Velus Jones
Before looking at the depth of the wide receivers, it will be awfully tough to replace JuJu Smith-Schuster and Darreus Rogers. Those two combined for over 40 percent of the receptions last season.
With the departures, the young guys will have to step into their place. Sophomore Michael Pittman played on special teams his freshman year and now has landed a starting spot as a wideout. Jalen Greene has the most experience of all the receivers. He also has experience as a quarterback, but looks to be a full time wideout this season.
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Of the three starting receivers though, the statistics show Deontay Burnett is the best of the bunch. He had a great spring and will be a great weapon for the Trojans.
Speedster Velus Jones could have opportunities in the slot with the versatility of Burnett to play on the outside. Redshirt freshman Josh Imatorbhebhe looks to recover from the ailments that plagued him in spring practice to earn some playing time. Finally athletic Tyler Vaughns will also push for snaps.
Starting tight end: Daniel Imatorbhebhe
Backup: Tyler Petite
This is a close race between Daniel Imatorbhebhe and Tyler Petite. With injuries plaguing Imatorhebhe, Petite took advantage in spring drills and has more in-game experience. However Imatorbhebhe has more upside. Both should get plenty of opportunities in this offense.
Running Backs
Starting running back: Ronald Jones II
Backups: Aca’Cedric Ware, Vavae Malepeai
No doubt that Ronald Jones is entrenched as the starter. He topped 1000 yards last year, averaging 6.1 yards per carry, and found the endzone 12 times. He will be counted on again this fall to lead a potent rushing attack and be one of the best running backs in the conference.
Behind Jones the Trojans have depth. Aca’Cedric Ware has had his share of injuries throughout his career at USC, but when he has had playing time, he’s taken advantage of it. Again in the spring, injuries kept Ware out which opened the door for Vavae Malepeai. He took advantage and appears to have made it an even race for the number two spot.
There has been some talk that Jones could have an outside chance at getting into the Heisman discussion. Even with Jones firmly locked as the featured back, there is plenty of opportunity for both Ware and Malepeai. Opposing defenses should beware.
Quarterbacks
Starting quarterback: Sam Darnold
Backup: Matt Fink
Sam Darnold did not begin the 2016 season as the starter, but he sure finished it with a bang. With Darnold under center, USC went 9-1 with their only loss against Utah in his first start. After that it was smooth sailing for the Trojans. Darnold finished with 3,086 yards and 31 touchdowns to only 9 interceptions. It was an outstanding start to his collegiate career.
Now for an encore, Trojan fans are expected huge things from the redshirt sophomore. As mentioned previously, the weapons are there but particularly with the wide receivers, the young guys will have to step up big for Darnold.
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Behind Darnold is redshirt freshman Matt Fink. After taking a year to learn the ropes of the program, Fink is ready to slide into the role as backup. The dual threat quarterback has gained confidence in the spring and should be ready to step in this fall should something happen to Darnold.